Look at all the animals!!

To round out our trip to St. Louis, we hit the zoo on Sunday.  The closest Ethan has gotten to animals (other than the dogs) is when we went to see the little chicks at Rural King.  He loved watching them run/hop around.  We had a feeling he would like seeing all the animals at the zoo, and we were right.  His favorites were the penguins.  He was so close he could almost touch them as they swam by and splashed him.  It was hard to get him to look at the camera for pictures because he just wanted to look at the animals the whole time.  Thanks Josh and Libby for a great weekend! 

PENGUINS!!

Ethan amazed by the puffins and the chimp!

Checking out the zebras with daddy

The little girls, Finley and Haley with the camels

Aunt Abby, this is for you!  I know how you like giraffes, Ethan did too.

Lunch time!  We were all ready!

Good bye St. Louis Zoo!  We will be back!

P.S. Keep scrolling down for more new posts!  We had a busy weekend, so lots of pictures to see. 

Pool Party!!

While in St. Louis this weekend, we had a pool party with the kids at the hotel.  This was Ethan's first pool experience and he loved it.  He always splashes in the tub, and this was like a huge tub for him!  He liked being thrown in the air by his daddy, though it made his mommy a little nervous : ). 

Just getting warmed up...

Family shot at the pool...Ethan is excited!

Doing what dads do with their babies in the pool

Warming up and drying off

After the pool party we had some pizza.  Here are the boys hanging out while we eat.

Linda had bubbles!  Ethan, Finley and Haley wanted some!

Happy Birthday Haley!

My cousin Libby's daughter, Haley, turned 2 yesterday!!  We celebrated her birthday with an awesome party on Saturday in St. Louis.  It's always fun to get together with family and friends.  Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Haley Blowing out the candles!

 

Cousins, Finley and Haley got their own table 

Opening presents!

Ethan and Daddy enjoying lunch

Scout and Ethan playing

Aunt Abby and Ethan

 Pop and Ethan riding the bike

Happy 11 Months!

Ethan is 11 months old today!  We've almost made it through the first year.  Jared and I were talking today about the past 11 months and we both agree that they have been the best and most challenging 11 months of our lives.  We are so blessed to have such a happy and healthy little boy. 

Approximate 11 Month Weight: 22 lbs.

Odds and Ends

 The last couple of days have just been spent around the house.  Here are a few pictures of Ethan over the last few days. 

 Ethan under the table.  He likes to crawl around under there for some reason.  And, like father like son.  Ethan and daddy's golf club.  (We're starting him early)

Ethan playing on his bus/slide.  Look at those teeth!  I think he will soon have 4 up top, he sure is slobbery.

Getting into my makeup drawer.  He loves to get in that drawer...

Beautiful Tuesday Night!

On nice evenings we try to get out and take a walk or play in the yard, and tonight was no exception.  Thanks to Ethan's Great-Aunt Linda and my mom we have a nice tree swing for Ethan to use and Jared rigged up a spot in one of our trees to hang it in.  We also went for a short bike ride (our first), thanks to our neighbor Heather.  She has a nice seat on the back of her bike and a fancy, flashing lights helmet for the boys.  Here are a few pictures of our evening.

Ethan loving the swing!

Braden ready to ride!

Not too excited about the helmet

Back from our first bike ride, safe and sound

Playing inside on the bus (note the drool, getting ready for another tooth!)

Laughing at something Daddy is doing

Ethan Pictures

I haven't been the greatest this week at posting pictures of Ethan...so here are some from the past week.

Our little climber...

Back on the ground, safe and sound

Licking the bowl clean...after dumping it all over himself and the tray.

Singing to the bowl

Enjoying his new swing.  Thanks Linda for the bright and shiny one.

Busy Sunday!

Yesterday my parents came up for lunch and some gardening fun.  I had no idea what kind of project we were getting into.  I had only planned on planting a few ferns that my dad brought up from around their house.  Our front door garden needed some help, but I wasn't sure what to do.  After Jared and my dad discussed things, they decided we should dig up all the grass in the corner between our house and garage and make a rock garden.  No more that 2 minutes after this decision, Jared grabbed the shovel and began.  I was so impressed with how quickly he 'destroyed' the grass.  The project isn't done yet, but there will be final photos coming soon.  Here are a few pictures of the process and our Sunday.

Pop and Ethan Playing

Jared and the leaves (what he thought was his only project for the day)

Dad after he nicely planted the ferns

Mom doing her job well, keeping track of Max

She also made a trip to the store for us, thanks Mom!

I forgot to get a before 'destruction' shot, but there was grass where that mound of dirt is.

I'm directing the workers : )

Ethan likes to watch his daddy work hard

Leveling it all out

Ethan playing in the dirt

The final area after our work on Sunday

After the weed barrier and edging stones were set (on Monday).  We are planning on putting rock on the weed barrier with some perennials.  But we aren't sure what to plant yet...any suggestions would be appreciated.